These Loaded Turkey Taco Nachos are fun food for a hearty after-school snack or entertaining. The key is in the toppings.
A few weeks ago, my youngest son requested nachos for his after-school snack. I’ve made nachos for football Sunday’s and for playdates (his friends love them), so this wasn’t an unusual request.
What he found unusual was that the nachos I presented to him were simply tortilla chips with melted cheese on top and nothing else on top. His displeasure was immediately displayed by the puzzled and unhappy look on his face. “Where’s the taco meat?” …. “There aren’t any onions?”…”Is there any Greek yogurt?”
Unfortunately for my little guy, I was in a foul mood that afternoon and ended up ranting and raving about how spoiled he was – that he had no idea that nachos didn’t simply appear with all the toppings he’s used to. After all, did he think taco meat just appeared out of thin air?
The twins just watched the whole scene unfold as they shook their heads at their little brother. You see – they understand and appreciate what goes into preparing real food and good food. They see how much care and attention I put into making their meals and snacks. My little guy on the other hand doesn’t know any different. He’s grown up his entire life with me making everything he desires whenever he wants. He’s spoiled and doesn’t even know it.
But, it’s my fault. I’ve made it too easy for him. He thinks a plate of loaded nachos just magically appears on the table when he orders it as if we’re at a restaurant because I make that happen way too easily.
I make almost everything from scratch, to the point where my boys don’t like cookies unless they’re homemade and hot out of the oven. This is good and bad. Good in that they know what real food should taste like – they know when something tastes artificial or looks artificially colored. Bad, in that they may not be able to eat like this once they leave home unless they learn to cook or find someone who does.
So, back to these nachos. This past week, I made these loaded nachos for my youngest when he got home from school. At least, I thought I put on all the toppings – turkey taco meat (antibiotic free), organic shredded cheese, pickled jalapenos (I had some homemade organic ones in my fridge), fresh tomatoes, and chopped red onions. As I placed the platter of nachos in front of him, he asked “Is there any Greek yogurt?”
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ pound Antibiotic Free Ground Turkey
- 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning (I use Penzey's)
- 2 handfuls Organic Corn Tortilla Chips
- 1 cup Organic shredded cheese
- chopped tomato
- chopped red onion
- pickled jalapeno peppers
- organic Greek yogurt
- Heat oil in a medium skillet. Add turkey and cook until lightly browned. Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup water. Cook until liquid evaporates, stirring meat. Place chips on a plate in a single layer. Top with taco meat. Sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave for 1 - 1½ minutes until cheese is melted or bake in oven at 375 until cheese is melted. Top with tomato, red onion and dollop of Greek yogurt.
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Is there any Greek yogurt? – this might very well be the phrase of the year! Too cute, and spoiled in a wonderful way…. 🙂
Lovely recipe!
Sally – he is more spoiled than he realizes…and I agree, in a good way 😉
HA ha ha.. That was the cutest thing to read. Is there any greek yogurt? Love this idea of taco nachos.
Haha – Jeanette your little fellow is just too precious! I have to admit, I would rather have a homemade cookie over a store bought one ANYDAY myself!
This would be a comforting recipe to whip up in the evening – thanks for sharing!!
I love tacos and nachos. They might be my favorite food besides chocolate. When I started trying to live healthier, I gave up premixed seasoning packets because of the sodium and other undesirable ingredients. Homemade taco seasoning is easy: I use garlic, onion, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder, pepper, and a pinch of sea salt. Just let the onion go translucent. Add the turkey and all seasoning but chili powder and cumin. Once the turkey is fully cooked, add chili powder and cumin. You can vary the amount to your tastes!
These nachos are everything I want and need right now! I love how incredibly easy they are, too. Great recipe, Jeanette!
Thanks everyone – nachos are so easy to make and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t love them!
These look so amazing!
These look like perfect nachos I would just keep on eating. Totally making these for dinner!
Aaw that’s too cute 🙂 These nachos look incredible Jeanette! Your little guy definitely has great taste in food 🙂
Love the story. My kids are spoiled on real food too. That’s a good thing. Love the recipe. Will try the tonight. I love to try to use ground turkey whenever possible. I guess with all the correct seasoning it can substitute ground meat most of the time.
These look delightful. And yes, I think it’s so important that we teach our kids about food!
For a long run, you did the greatest thing! Your children know what’s good food, and how awesome is that. 🙂 If they can’t get it, they will soon cook on their own. 🙂 A lot of people don’t care what goes into body, and being able to appreciate the flavor is one quality it’s hard to “teach”. What a yummy nachos!
Thanks Nami – I’m hoping my boys will take what they’ve learned over the years and make healthy choices on their own once they leave home.
Will try at the dinner tonight, my boys are too much tired by the real food, They will love to eat this, specially avacado in this will make the taste more sweet!